VS043 LGW-LAS 2 Sep 07 (Econ)

This is a Trip Report from the Economy cabin

Ground Staff

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Checked in on-line exactly 24hrs before and managed to bag seats in the front section of economy just behind premium.

We had a taxi from Heathrow Marriott as we were flying back into LHR from LAX. (great time at this hotel) Good journey until we hit all the traffic stacking up to get to LGW. One of the lanes into the airport had been closed off which didnt help.

Made our way through to the check in desks where we were greeted by chaos! never seen it so bad. The queues were so bad you couldnt make out where the end was. Alot of people getting angry etc. Anyway after over an hour of waiting we got rid of our cases at the bag drop. I noticed they have tightened up on excess luggage! we were charged 25 each! we normally get away with it.

We then made our way through the very busy airport, grateful that we had booked the Servisair lounge this too was busy but we soon relaxed with a few glasses of plonk!

We left the lounge for boarding around 45mins before departure, just in time really. Queue not too bad and settled into our seats. I liked being in this small economy cabin. You do really feel out of the main cabin as its so much quieter. Of course the main advantage is you are straight off after upper and PE giving you a fighting chance of missing the huge queue at immigration.

We took off around 30 mins late. Drinks were served shortly after, red wine quite nice. Meal followed together with more wine. I enjoyed the meal, chocolate desert divine! once all that was cleared I went through the entertainment system, good choice but I miss not being able to watch stuff when I want. We had pre ordered a bottle of champagne for the flight and that bought to use in a ice bucket. That kept us nice and relaxed for a bit! Midway through ice cream was served followed by sandwiches before we landed.

We had to take a longer flight to avoid bad weather so the flight was 11hrs! although to me it went fairly quick (luckily) Cabin crew seemed to do a great job although I couldnt see much of what went on the main cabin but we were always seen to swiftly. The flight was very smooth and so was landing.

After we departed the plane we quick marched it to immigration. Grateful we were ahead of the crowds because behind us was just a mass of people! however this was slightly short lived because one of our cases came off straight away and the other took ages!

We had booked a limo to take us to our hotel, which was great! not expensive at all and they open a bottle of champers for you.

Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this flight. However I had gone with an open mind and expecting nothing special. Afterall it is economy, you what you pay for and as I had used part miles and part money it was a bargain!

[Decker]

Thanks for such a positive report Juulz. I do like the idea of pre-ordering champers as you never get enough plonk otherwise Shame you can't preorder wine! Check in sounds like a nightmare though - any idea what was going on?

champers makes a great deal of difference! although you can request extra drinks throughout the flight but I always feel a bit cheeky, especially if I requested a bottles worth of them!

Regarding check -in, I don't know why it was so busy. The Vegas flight wasn't full but there were alot of other flights checking in. Some people were being called to the front of the queue as they were at risk of missing their flight. It really was chaotic. Maybe the lane that had been closed outside the airport didn't help, or everybody had just happened to turn up around the same time. Virgin certainly seemed to be the busiest check-in!

I felt staff were struggling to keep things together.

Thanks so much for the eye on Y. Sounds like consumption of vast quantities of booze is the great equalizer among how the various classes manage the 11 hour hop. Have a safe flight home!

GJ

[buns]

Juulz

Thanks for the TR[y][y]

I liked being in this small economy cabin. You do really feel out of the main cabin as its so much quieter. Of course the main advantage is you are straight off after upper and PE giving you a fighting chance of missing the huge queue at immigration.

I quite agree, whilst it can appear cramped, the ability to exit the aircraft at the earliest opportunity is the greatest bonus and hence why these seats are highly sought after.

buns